Bowling alley pin resetting machine



July 5, 1960 B. SCHERZINGER BOWLING ALLEY PIN RESETTING MACHINE Original Filed on; 4, 1956 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 vm ow mmmmim 6 mm IN VENTOR ATTORNE Y5 July 5, 1960 a. SCHERZINGER BOWLING ALLEY PIN RESETTING MACHINE Original Filed Oct. 4, 1956 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 IN VE N TOR BY Z 5 D 4/ g ir-102N575 July 5, 1960 B. SCHERZINGER BOWLING ALLEY PIN RESETTING MACHINE Original Filed Oct. 4, 1956 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 ATTORNEYS y 1950 B. SCHERZINGER 2,943,857

BOWLING ALLEY PIN RESETTING MACHINE Original Filed Oct. 4, 1956 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 32 4 3 3A 52 2 1 34 l '7 Z4 2 5 3 .2 2 2 l3 ,2 ID 0 O 28-? 29 /2s IN VE N TOR IZLW/WJ/ 9 1 a M rte 2,943,857 Home ALLEY PIN RESE'I'IING MACHINE Bruno Scherzinger, Calgary, Alberta, Canada, assiguor to Mechanical Pin Resetter (30., Ltd., Calgary, Alberta, Canada 2 Claims. (Cl. 27343) This invention relates to improvements in machines for resetting pins in a bowling alley in between frames, and sweeping the alley clear of fallen pins and balls between the balls of a frame.

The present application is a continuation-in-part of United States patent application Serial No. 528,711, filed August 16, 1955, and now Patent No. 2,911,218, which latter contains a description and illustration of a complete machine for this purpose. This application is a division of application Serial No. 614,011, filed October 4, 1956, and now Patent No. 2,902,281. The present invention is directed towards certain improvements in parts of a machine of the general type described in said prior application. In particular, the present invention is concerned with apparatus for use in a pin setting unit, that is to say section (A) of the machine described in such prior application.

More specifically, the present invention is concerned with improvements in pin holding mechanisms for mounting on a vertically movable carriage arranged over the pin supporting end of a bowling alley. As has already been explained in said prior applications, such pin holding mechanisms perform the dual functions of (a) Setting a fresh array of pins on the alley, at the temination of a frame, and

(b) Picking up remaining pins from the alley while deadwood is swept between the balls of a frame, and resetting such pins after the sweeping operation in readiness for the next ball of the frame.

The principal object of the present invention is the provision of a pin holding mechanism adapted reliably to perform these functions.

Occasionally it happens that a pin will become displaced from its normal on-spot position by a ball, without toppling. In accordance with the rules of the game, it is necessary that this pin should remain in such displaced or off-spot position for the remainder of the rame, and it is thus necessary that the picking up and resetting mechanism should be capable of performing these functions in respect of pins in off-spot as well as on-spot positions.

A further object of the present invention is to provide an improved pin holding mechanism having this latter facility.

One form of pin holding mechanism constructed in accordance with the present invention is illustrated by way of example in the accompanying drawings.

The complexity of the mechanism has led to some of the details shown in a view concerned, for example, with the operation of a particular part, being omitted from other views in which the same part may appear, but which are furnished primarily to illustrate the operation of other parts. It follows that exact correspondence does not always exist between the various figures, but it is believed that such sacrifice has been made to the benefit of a clear appreciation of the important features of operation of the mechanism as a whole.

Patented July 5, 1960 In the drawings:

Figure 1 shows a front elevation of the pin holding mechanism in position for performing a pin picking up operation;

Figure 2 is a view of the pin holding mechanism of Figure I seen from the right hand side of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a view similar to Figure 1, demonstrating the manner of operation of the mechanism in picking up an on-spot pin;

Figure 4 is a view similar to Figure 1, demonstrating the manner of operation of the mechanism in picking up an off-spot pin;

Figure 5 is a further front elevation of the pin holding mechanism, demonstrating its function of pin setting;

Figure 6 is a view similar to Figure 5 showing the parts in a dilferent position;

Figure 7 is a plan view of the mechanism in the position seen in Figure 5; and

Figure 8 is a plan view of the mechanism in the position seen in Figure 6.

The pin holding mechanism that forms the subject of the present description (there will be a number of such mechanisms in a pin setting machine, one for each pin to be set, i.e. five in the case of the five-pin game and ten in the case of the ten-pin game) consists of a funnel shaped pocket or cup 1 open at both ends and into which a pin will be deposited by suitable recharging mechanism while the vertically movable carriage that supports the pin holding mechanisms is in an upper position (the prior application will provide ample illustration of this operation). The pin P will be held upright in the cup 1 by means of four fingers 2 which engage the neck of the pin (Figures 5 and 7). These clamping fingers 2 are each pivotally mounted at one end by a pin 32 to a fixed plate 33 secured to an upper edge of the cup 1 (see especially Figures 7 and 8. The center of each finger 2 is connected by a rod 34 to the upper end of the adjacent one of a pair of pin holding levers 3, each of which levers is pivotally supported at 4 (see Figures 1, 5 or 6) about a pair of swinging brackets 5 that are pivotally mounted to the upper rim of the cup 1 at 6. At their lower ends the pin holding levers 3 terminate in pads 3a adapted to engage a lower peripheral surface of the pin and provide the main support therefor. When the pin is of the five-pin type illustrated in the drawings, the pads 3a will normally engage beneath the peripheral rubber band surrounding the lower portion of the pin (see particularly Figure 5). When adapted for the ten-pin type of pin the pads 3a will engage the lower part of the belly of the pin.

The brackets 5 which support the pin holding levers 3 are normally held inwardly by links 7 which connect the lower end of one of each pair of brackets 5 each to the centre of a further link 8 pivotally mounted on the cup 1 about a shaft 9. The two shafts 9 comprise drive shafts that extend beyond the pin holding mechanism (shown only in Figure 2), for suitable operation at the correct time by external power means (not shown). These shafts 9 which transmit the forces for opening and closing the pin holding levers 3, correspond to the pivoted arm 78 and driving rod 79 illustrated in Figure 8 of the said prior application, so that the function of this part of the pin holding mechanism differs from that of the pin holding mechanism described in the earlier application, only in that no spring is used and the drive means which was previously centrally situated has now been moved to each side and been split into the two separate drive shafts 9 which are interconnected beyond the pin holding mechanism for simultaneous operation.

Passing now to the other part of the pin holding mechanism, namely the pick-up mechanism, it will be noted L4 with a firm pressure. The plates :12.which.in thisposition serve to close the lower opening of the-cup 1 are normally, heldclosed; by means of'the links 7 and 8 already described, since.- the: upper end of. each arm 12ais pivotally connectedto the, lower end of a link 8' by means of anintermediate link 15.v Resilient cushions 16 are attached to the underside of the press plates 12.

Another driveshaft 17 eX tenls,.into the'pin holding mechanism fromanexternal power source (see Figures 1 and 2). This shaft 17 is journalled in suitable bearings arrangedadjacent the upper rim-ofthe-cup' 1- and is mechanically linked-to a similar. parallel shaft 18, on the other side ofthe cup 1 by means of; connecting rods 19 and pairs of intermediate links 20and 20a. These parts, best seen in Figure 1, are duplicated at-the rear of the cup 1, as demonstrated by Figure 2, and henceforth the description will concentrate onthose: at the frontof the cup for simplicity. Further links .21 connect the links 20. and- Zilaeach to thecentral point of about actuating lever 22. In the case of eachlink 20a, the link 21 connects the. bent lever 22 with the-point of connection between the. link 20a and the connectingrod 19; whereas in the case of each link20, such link is extended downa wardly beyond its shaft connection into engagement with the link 21.

Fixed pivotal points 23 determine the, position of the lower end ofthe lower ;arm of each, bent lever 22 in relation to thecup 1. The ends of the other arms of=the bent lever 22 are individually connected through links.25 to respective ends ofv upper arms of a further, pair of levers .24, which perform the function of pick-up levers. The: lower ends of thesepick-up levers 24 arejoined together in pairs by means of clamping bars 28 that extend from front to rear on each side of the pin holding mechanism. These clamping. bars 28 are circular in" cross-section. and are rods covered. by a. resilient material 7 adapted yieldably but firmly to grip a pinbetween them. The centre point of each-of the pick-up-leve'rs 24.. is pivotally mounted by means of-a pin 29 on. an endzof one of a pair of diiferential beams 26 provided at the front and rear respectively of the mechanism, each difierential beam 26 being itself pivotally mounted onthecup. 1 at a centre point 27 so as to be able to tilt in the fashion ofthebeam of a scale A brake disc 30 is secured to each differential beam 26, brake. shoesv 31 being provided on the bent levers 22 for engagement with,

the periphery of each disc 30 tolock the differential beam against movement while the clamping bars 28 are ena n a p Figure 1 shows the-positionof the parts as the pin.

holding mechanism is lowered towards a pinstanding on a bowling alley for the purpose of raising such pin while a sweeping operation takes place. Themechanism is lowered until the. cushions 16 come to.bear firmly against the head of the pin, thus clamping such pin against horizontal displacement. Simultaneously with'this clamping action the shaft 17 is' turned a small amount and'the,

shaft 18 turns" with it but in the.opposite direction by reason of the connecting rodsf19." This motion is transmitted through the links 21 to the bent levers 22 and thus through the links 25 'to the pick-up levers 24 which thus swing downwardly and inwardly to-bring the clamp tak'es 'place; The carriagewill'then again descendand" 4 I the operation just carried out will be reversed so that the clamping bars 28 will again swing outwardly and upwardly into their rest position and the .pin holding mechanism will again be elevated to free the pin for play.

Figure 4 illustrates the operation of the mechanism when it is called upon toraise' and re-position an off-spot pin. -It isassumed-that the displacementof the'pin from its on-spot position is transverse to the direction or extent of the clamping bars} 2 8 (the worst condition); The lengthof the clamping bars 28- caters for displacement in the other direction. Initially the same operation as already describedtakes place, except thatone of the clamping bars 28 will come to bear againstthepinbefore the other clamping bar 28, and'this willprevent" further inward movementof such first clamping bar 28. In turn this will check rotation of the pick-up levers 24 carrying such clamping bar 28 and the downward movement being imparted to the links 25-of such pick-up levers 24' will only be allowed to continue at the expense ofa tilting of thezdifferentialbeams 26 which will-tilt downwardly at 'the ends carrying the pick-up levers 24 that support the clampingbar 28 first to engage the pin. Consequently the other ends of the beams 26 swing upwardly and provide. additional effectiverotation tothe lower ends of the other pick-up levers 24, andthe two clampinglbarsi2'8 finally come to bear against the pin in the manner illus trated in Figure 4. V V a V a In this position of theparts, as in the previous oper ation when-the pin was in the on-spot position, the links; 21 will'each form atoggle mechanism with a 1ink20foi' 20a, such toggle mechanismtravelling slightly overcentre' to lock the parts in this positionuntil the motions are reversed by turning of the shaft 17 in the opposite direction. At the same time the brake shoes 31 bear against the brake discs 30 thus precluding the possibility ofthe beams 26 changingposition between the time when the pinis lifted fromthe alley audit is reset thereon.

A valuable feature of the present construction is the" fact that the adjustment motion consequent upon en-' countering an ofi-spot pin takes place principally about a single pivot point, namely the centre point 27 offtlie beam 26. This'minimizes' the friction involved in such movement.

The setting function of the-pin holding mechanism is illustrated in Figures 5 to 8. Whenit is required toset an array of pins on the'alley, the carriage-supporting the pin holding mechanisms (each loaded with'-a-pin-'-Fig'ures 5 and 7) is lowered to bring these'mechanisms almost to the alley floor. The two shafts 9 are then rotated in opposite senses to an extent suflicient to 'force tlie'pivot points 4 of the pin holding levers 3 outwardly through the agency of thelinks 7 and 8, until the parts occupy the positions shown-in Figures 6 and 8. The outward swinging :motion of the two links 8-acts"through' the'links 15 to pull upwardly the projecting arms 12a of'the'pr'ess' plates 12, thus: rotating-such press plates 12' about their pivot points 11 into positionswithdrawn from the lower opening of' the cup 1. The outward'movement of the" pin holding levers 3 serves to withdraw the pads-13m from the lower 'part' of the pin. At the same time the outwardmovement of the upper ends of thedevers 3. pulls on the rods 34 to retract the fingers 2 from the neck: of thepin. The pin is. thus completely released-and slidesxthrough the cup onto the alley;

It will be appreciated that the fingers 2 'co'operate'toform a substantially complete annulus expansibeandcontractible between an outer position (Figure'8) whereithe y= define a passageway at least as great asth'e maximum diameter of a pin (for receiving a fresh pin frorn the' recharging mechanism) and aninner position iii-which with its head inclined towards a gap between the fingers, these fingers will of necessity engage the neck of the pin in their inward movement towards the inner position, ensuring that the pin head is moved across to the central position it occupies in Figure 7.

A pin in readiness for setting in the manner described has also been shown in Figure 3 of the drawings to emphasize that the pick-up and resetting operation may be performed-and usually will be performed-with the cup loaded in readiness for a setting operation. The two pins do not interfere with each other, and the two lever systems operate independently.

I claim:

1. A pin holding mechanism for a bowling alley pin resetting machine, comprising a framework, pressure plate means mounted beneath said framework for exerting a downward pressure on the head of an upright pin to clamp said pin against horizontal displacement, a normally horizontal beam centrally freely pivotally mounted on said framework, a brake disc co-axially secured to said beam, a pair of depending pick-up levers respectively generally centrally pivotally mounted on opposite ends of said beam about axes parallel to the pivotal axis of said beam, a pair of elongated clamping bars secured each to a lower part of a respective such pick-up lever to extend parallel to each other and to said axes, a pair of actuating levers respectively pivotally mounted on opposite sides of said framework, a pair of links connecting the free end of each said actuating lever to the upper arm of a respective one of said pick-up levers, brake shoe means secured to at least one of said actuating levers for cooperation with said brake disc,

power operated means including a toggle mechanism for rotating said actuating levers in opposite directions to rotate said pick-up levers about said beam to move said clamping bars downwardly and towards each other into a position in which they are in firm engagement with aligned areas on opposite sides of the neck of said pin, said toggle mechanism being effective to lock said actuating levers in such position of the clamping bars and said brake shoe means being effective to prevent rotation of said brake disc in such position of the clamping bars.

2. A pin holding mechanism as claimed in claim 1, comprising two such beams mounted on opposite sides of said framework parallel to one another, and two such pairs of pick-up levers, each such pair being mounted on the opposite ends of a respective beam, and wherein each said clamping bar extends between the lower part of a pick-up lever of one such pair and the lower part of the corresponding pick-up lever of the other pair.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,130,354 Madsen Sept. 20, 1938 2,300,802 Parra et al. Nov. 3, 1942 2,519,285 Rhoads Aug. 15, 1950 2,577,464 Hutchison et al. Dec. 4, 1951 2,616,750 Montooth Nov. 4, 1952 2,621,961 Whipple et a1 Dec. 16, 1952 2,723,123 Hedenskoog et a1 Nov. 8, 1955 2,740,631 Montooth et al. Apr. 3, 1956 2,747,915 Mapes May 29, 1956 2,817,528 I Sanford Dec. 24, 1957 

